HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – City leaders say the “Safe and Sound Waikiki” program launched 18 months ago has led to a broad drop in crime.
Murders, robberies, burglaries, auto thefts, and property damage are down by about a third in the state’s no. 1 tourist district, officials said.
Alcohol and drug offenses are down by 45%.
The only outlier: Reports of disorderly conduct jumped 45%, which police attributed to the crack down on less violent crime.
As part of the Safe and Sound program, HPD, prosecutors and community partners focused on homeless outreach, zero tolerance for park violations and petty crimes, and a ban on repeat offenders returning to Waikiki.
“We’re trying to work with the judges to get them to understand how serious this is, that people can get hurt. And I think they came around to the geographic restrictions. We hope they’ll be coming around more with some more time to jail,” said city Prosecutor Steve Alm.
Since implementing homeless outreach services, business leaders and homeless advocates said those struggling with substance abuse, mental illness and homelessness are getting the service they need, with at least 180 people receiving some form of assistance.
“We’ve also placed 30 folks into shelter,” said Katie Kaahanui, executive coordinat
or of Safe and Sound Waikiki. “Fourteen people have also accepted on the street medication. And the numbers have grown since since this.”
Officials said there have been 3,000 arrests and citations since September 2022, but could not say how many led to convictions.
“Some of the citations, if there’s not enough information, that may be a problem, but we work with HPD on that,” Alm said.
Alm said the policy of banning repeat offenders in Waikiki is working.
“They can be on probation for five years. and they can actually get help with mental health issues, drug issues and the like,” he said.